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January 20

Overland Trail in 1847Patrick Breen, traveling with the Donner Party, wrote in his diary: “Fine morning. Wind N. Froze hard last night. Expecting some person across the Mountain this week.”

Business in 1872The California Stock Exchange Board opened to manage stock investments in the Comstock silver mines, which produced enormous wealth.

Comstock Silver Mining Co. stock certificate.

Post Offices in 1900A U.S. Post Office opened at Peanut, an unincorporated community south of Hayfork in Trinity County.

Movies in 1929The first feature talking motion picture was filmed outdoors on location in California and the Southwest. “In Old Arizona” was released on January 20, 1929.

Environment in 1937The temperature at Boca fell to −45 °F (−42.8 °C), the lowest temperature ever recorded in California.

Japanese American Internment in 1944Japanese American men were drafted from detention camps to fight in War II. Some 120,000 Japanese Americans, labeled Enemy Aliens, were locked up at War Relocation Centers. But when needed for combat, some 33,000 fought. Their 442nd Regimental Combat Team became the most decorated infantry regiment in U.S. Army history.

Music in 1965The Byrds entered Columbia Studios in Hollywood to record “Mr. Tambourine Man.” Their jangly guitars and intellectual lyrics inspired folk rock.

Sports in 1968The Houston Cougars ended UCLA’s 47-game basketball winning streak, 71-69. It was the first NCAA regular season game broadcast nationwide in prime time and paved the way for the modern “March Madness” television coverage.

Sports in 1985The San Francisco 49ers beat the Miami Dolphins, 38-16, in Super Bowl XIX, played at Stanford.

Music in 1987Rhino Records reissue of Billy Vera & The Beaters’ “At This Moment” reached #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts.

Robert Alan Litchfield.

Crime in 1987Bank robber Robert Alan Litchfield was arrested at Lake Tahoe.

January 21

Overland Trail in 1847Patrick Breen, traveling with the Donner Party, wrote in his diary: “Fine morning. Wind W. Did not freeze quite so hard last night as it has done. John Battice & Denton came this morning with Eliza. She won’t eat hides. Mrs Reid sent her back to live or die on them. Milt. got his toes froze. The Donners are all well.”

Biddy Mason (detail) painting by Venaglia Studio

Civil Rights in 1856Biddy Mason won freedom in court.She was brought to California as a slave in 1851, although it was against the law. She and a group of other slaves fled but were captured. So she petitioned a Los Angeles court for her freedom, which she won for herself and the others, including her three daughters. She became a cornerstone of the African American community in L.A.; a nurse and midwife, an entrepreneur who leveraged her fortune for the benefit of others. Today a park is named in her honor. Biddy Mason Day is celebrated on November 16.

Music in 1959The Kingston Trio’s “Tom Dooley” was awarded a gold record. The San Francisco band released 19 albums that made Billboard’s Top 100, 14 that ranked in the top 10, and 5 that hit the number 1 spot.

Environment in 1962Snow fell in San Francisco. Other dates when it snowed there are December 1882, February 5, 1887, February 28, 1951 and February 6, 1976.

Tripps Festival poster

Music in 1966The 3-day Trips Festival in San Francisco marked the beginning of the psychedelic 60’s era. The Grateful Dead played to a massive crowd. Many consider it the first festival like Woodstock and Burning Man.

January 22

Government in 1842 The Mexican government appointed Manuel Micheltorena governor of Alta California and sent him with 300 soldiers to secure control of Monterey, the provincial capital. Before he reached Monterey, however, U.S. naval forces mistakenly thought war had broken out between the U.S. and Mexico and captured Monterey Bay.

Watercolor of the capture of Monterey by Gunner William H. Meyers of the warship Cyane. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, U.C. Berkeley

Hangman’s Tree Bar in Placerville

Crime in 1849Three robbers were hanged at Dry Diggins, later known as Hangtown. Today it’s called Placerville. The stump of the original hanging tree, it’s said, is in the cellar of The Hangman’s Tree bar.

Newspapers in 1850 The Alta California, previously published weekly in San Francisco, became the first daily paper in California.

Alta California masthead

Aquatic Park, San Francisco.

Parks in 1939 Aquatic Park, near Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, was dedicated. It includes a beach with a Victorian Park, bocce ball courts and the Bathhouse Building with the Maritime Museum and the oldest senior center in the U.S.

Environment in 1943 Some 26 inches of snow fell at Hoegees Camp in the Angeles National Forest.

KTLA logo 1947

Television in 1947KTLA was the first commercially licensed television station in the western U.S. Today its studios are on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood.

Business in 1949 The Chinatown Telephone Exchange closed. Since 1894 it ran a Chinese language telephone service which operated independently of the central San Francisco exchange.

Chinatown Telephone Exchange.

Santa Fe Railway wreck (1956).

Accidents in 1956 A Santa Fe Railway train on its way to San Diego lurched off a curve near the Los Angeles River. Thirty people died in Los Angeles’ deadliest rail disaster.

Business in 1984 Apple Computers television commercial for the new Macintosh computer was broadcast only one time; during the Super Bowl. It became one of the most successful American television commercials of all time, an advertising masterpiece.

Sports in 1989 The San Francisco 49ers beat the Cincinnati Bengals, 20-16, in Super Bowl XXIII, played in Miami, Florida.

Sports in 1989 Bill Walsh retired after winning his third Super Bowl as head coach of the San Fransisco 49ers.

Sports in 1990 Will Clark, National League’s MVP, signed a 4-year contract with the San Francisco Giants for $15 million.

January 23

Nero, a Donner Party dog.

Overland trail in 1847Patrick Breen, traveling with the Donner Party, wrote in his diary: “Blew hard & snowed all night. The most severe storm we experienced this winter.”

Business in 1862 Agoston Haraszthy, the first winemaker in Sonoma Valley, imported 10,000 grape vine cuttings.

“Little Pete,” opium king of Chinatown.

Crime in 1897
Fong Ching, known as “Little Pete,” Chinatown crime boss, was killed while sitting in a barber chair with a towel over his face; shot under the chain mail he wore as body armor.

Inventions in 1900Arlanda McCandless of Los Angeles, patented a shipping box. “This invention relates to boxes for shipping fruit and berries and other easily-perishable articles; and the object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive device of the character set forth which can be supplied to a consumer in large lots in collapsed or blank form, to be assembled by him for use as occasion may require, and the construction is such that the contents of the boxes can be so ventilated as to maintain the same in a fresh condition during shipment.”

Business in 1957Walter Morrison, inventor, sold the rights to his flying disc to the Wham-O Toy Company of Woodland Hills, which later renamed it the Frisbee. His business began by selling “Flyin’ Cake Pans” on the beaches of Santa Monica.

Walter Morrison.

Sports in 1971 UCLA lost to Notre Dame, 89-82, then won its next 88 games.

Willie Mays, 1966

Sports in 1979 Willie Mays, former San Francisco Giants outfielder, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Business in 1996 Sun Microsystems, in Santa Clara, released the first version of Java programming language. Today it is one of the most popular programming languages.

Energy in 2001 California energy officials got enough power from West Coast electricity supplies to avoid rush hour blackouts. Lawmakers worked to make longer-term deals to buy power.

Blackout.

Newton in 2004 Helmut Newton, fashion photographer, died in a car accident in Los Angeles at age 83.

January 24

Exploration in 1770Gaspar de Portolà’s expedition searched for Monterey Bay but overshot it and found San Francisco Bay. They turned south, hoping to meet the supply ship from Mexico at Monterey Bay. The ship never arrived so they marched back to San Diego, surviving by eating their mules.

Overland Trail in 1847Patrick Breen, traveling with the Donner Party, wrote in his diary: “Ceased snowing yesterday about 2 o’clock. Wind about S.E. All in good health. Thanks be to God for his mercies endureth for ever. Heard nothing from Murphys camp since the storm. Expect to hear they suffered some.” An infant died.

James Marshall standing in front of Sutter’s Mill.

Gold Rush in 1848James Marshall found the gold flakes in the American River at Sutter’s saw mill that ignited the Gold Rush. He reportedly said, “I have found it.” “What is it?” inquired Scott. “Gold,” I answered. “Oh! no,” replied Scott, “That can’t be.” I said, “I know it to be nothing else.”

Flight in 1910 Louis Paulhan, pioneer French aviator, flew in an air show over Tanforan Race Track in San Bruno before a crowd of 75,000. He flew 1,300 feet high at 70 mph.

Louis Paulhan making his record flight, flying at 4,600 feet, in his Henry Farman biplane in Los Angeles (January 12, 1910).

Fremont in 1956Fremont incorporated. It is named for John C. Frémont and combined the towns of Centerville, Niles, Irvington, Mission San Jose, and Warm Springs.

Fremont, California.

Earthquakes in 1980A 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck north of Livermore Valley, injuring 44 people and causing some $11.5 million in property damage, primarily at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory.

Cukor in 1983 George Cukor, film director, died in Los Angeles at age 84. His films included “My Fair Lady” (1964), “Love Among the Ruins” (1975) and “A Star is Born” (1976).

Business in 1984 The first Apple Macintosh went on sale. The revolutionary personal computer with a speed of 8 MHz and 128k of RAM sold for $2,495.

Apple Macintosh (1984).

Hubbard in 1986 L. Ron Hubbard, science fiction author and founder of Scientology, died in Creston at age 75. By 2007 the Los Angeles based church claimed 10 million members worldwide.

Church of Scientology, Los Angeles.

O.J. Simpson.

Crime in 1995 O.J. Simpson’s trial started in Los Angeles for the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, her friend. It became one of the most publicized criminal trials in U.S. history.

Energy in 2001California received bids for long-term electricity contracts in an auction to help ease the energy crises.

Business in 2006 Walt Disney, in Burbank, announced it would buy Pixar Animation Studios, headquartered in Emeryville, in a stock deal valued at $7.4 billion.

Nicholas in 2006 Fayard Nicholas, the older of the Nicholas Brothers tap dancing duo, died in Los Angeles at age 92. They were stars of the Harlem Renaissance jazz circuit and stage, film, and television into the 1990s.

Accidents in 2006Four people died when a twin-engine plane skidded off a Carlsbad airport runway then burst into flames.

Roberts in 2010 Pernell Roberts, actor, died in Malibu at age 82. He played the oldest son in the “Bonanza” (1959-1973) television series and later starred in “Trapper John M.D.” (1979-1986).

Government in 2011California Supreme Court ruled that cities and counties do not have to consult with unions before laying off workers to save money.

January 25

Royal Chapel of Monterey postcard.

Missions in 1795 The Royal Chapel of Monterey, Alta California’s first cathedral, was dedicated with a mass of thanksgiving.

Ranchos in 1846Rancho Cañada de San Vicente y Mesa del Padre Barona was granted. It covered 13,316 acres south of Ramona in present day San Diego County.

Rancho diseno

Margaret and Patrick Breen

Overland Trail in 1847Patrick Breen, travelling with the Donner Party, wrote in his diary: “Began to snow yesterday evening & still continues. Wind W.”

Accidents in 1878The King Philip, a clipper ship, sank outside of San Francisco Bay when its anchor failed and the ship drifted onto Ocean Beach, where it foundered. The ship’s remains were found more than 100 years later.

King Philip wreckage at Ocean Beach.

Clubs in 1928 The Zamorano Club, named after Agustin Zamorano, the first printer in Alta California, was founded in Los Angeles to print handmade books.

Armchair Detective premiered on July 6, 1949

Television in 1949The first Emmy Awards, television’s response to the movie’s Oscars, were presented at the Hollywood Athletic Club. Then there were some 350 television sets in L.A. Local station KTLA swept the awards. Its most popular show was “Armchair Detective.”

Flight in 1959 American Airlines flew the first coast-to-coast commercial jet from Los Angeles to New York. A ticket which cost around $300, around $2,425 today.

American Airlines magazine in 1959

Charles Manson mugshot

Crime in 1971Charles Manson was convicted, along with Susan Atkins, Leslie Van Houten, and Patricia Krenwinkle of the murders of actress Sharon Tate and six others in Los Angeles (1969).

Sports in 1974Ray Kroc, CEO of McDonald’s, bought the San Diego Padres for $12 million. He said, “I am not buying the Padres to make money, I’m buying the Padres because I love baseball. The Padres will be my hobby.”

Gaylord Perry.

Sports in 1978The San Diego Padres traded pitcher Dave Tomlin and $125,000 to the Texas Rangers for Gaylord Perry, who won the Cy Young Award that year.

Sports in 1987The New York Giants beat the Denver Broncos, 39-20, in Super Bowl XXI, played in Pasadena.

Government in 2005 Legislators in San Francisco voted 8-3 to ban smoking in public parks, becoming the first major U.S. city with an wide ban on tobacco use.

No smoking.

Google.

Business in 2006 Google Inc., in Mountain View, launched a search engine in China that censored material about topics sensitive to Beijing. Google claimed it was a trade-off to provide Chinese greater access to other information.

January 26

Ranchos in 1846Rancho Cañada de Capay was deeded. It covered 40,079 acres in present day Yolo County. The name means “valley of the Capay” in Spanish. “Capay” is a Southern Wintun Indian word for “stream.”

Rancho diseno

Overland trail in 1847Patrick Breen, travelling with the Donner Party, wrote in his diary: “Cleared up yesterday. To day fine & pleasant. Wind S. In hopes we are done with snow storms. Those that went to Suitor’s not yet returned. Provisions getting very scant. People getting weak living on short allowance of hides.”

Nero, a Donner Party dog.

Charles Bowles, also known as Black Bart.

Crime in 1882Charles Bowles, English-born gentleman bandit known as Black Bart who left poems at the scenes of his crime, held up Wells Fargo stagecoaches 28 times. His 21st was near Cloverdale in Sonoma County.

Flight in 1911Glenn Curtiss flew the first seaplane from San Diego Bay. He was also the first pilot to land an aircraft on a ship at sea.

he flew the first seaplane from the water in the United States

Frances Orlando, who lived as a man, married Elizabeth Nunes. Courtesy the San Francisco Public Library.

Civil rights in 1929 Frances Orlando, age 19, was arrested in San Francisco for dressing in men’s clothing.

Movies in 1939Filming began on “Gone With the Wind” in Los Angeles. It won ten Academy Awards at the 12th Academy Awards in 1940 and was the highest grossing film at the time.

Palomar Observatory

Science in 1949The 200″ Hale telescope at Palomar Observatory saw first light, becoming the largest optical telescope in the world.

Amusement Parks in 1954Ground breaking began for the building of Disneyland in Anaheim.

Disneyland opening day in 1955

Sports in 1960The Oakland Raiders joined the American Football League.

A truck and garage buried in mud after flooding in Highland (1969).

Environment in 1969 California was declared a disaster area after two days of flooding and mud slides killed some 100 people in Southern California.

Business in 1998 Intel, in Santa Clara, introduced a 333 Mhz chip. It was expected to reach 450Mhz speed.

Intel logo (1968-2005).

Diane Whipple.

Crime in 2001 Diane Whipple, age 33, died after being attacked by two dogs in her San Francisco Pacific Heights apartment. The dogs were owned by two prison gang members but kept by Robert Noel and Marjorie Knoller, who were indicted for murder and manslaughter.

Accidents in 2005Two trains derailed in Glendale, killing 11 and injuring 200, in the second deadliest crash by a Metrolink commuter railroad.

No smoking.

Government in 2006 California legislators became the first in the U.S. to label secondhand tobacco smoke as a toxic air contaminant.

Business in 2007 Intel, in Santa Clara, announced it would use a new material on its next generation of chips to make them more energy efficient.

Intel logo (1968-2005).

Nadya Suleman.

Multiple Births in 2009 Nadya Suleman, age 33, gave birth to eight babies in Bellflower, the second time in history octuplets survived more than a few hours.

January 27

Business in 1827Le Héros anchored in San Francisco Bay to trade for furs to sell in China. But because its goods did not interest the Indians or Mexicans, the ship spent nearly two years trying to trade its cargo.

Engraving of San Francisco Bay from Duhaut-Cilly’s Voyage Autour du Monde published in Paris in 1834-1835.

Fairs in 1894 The Midwinter International Exposition opened in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. It featured an Electric Tower, a Fine Arts Building and a Royal Pavilion.

Midwinter International Exposition in San Francisco (1894).

Music in 1962 The Chubby Checker Twist Party at the Cow Palace, attended by 17,000 fans became the first big rock concert in Bay Area history.

Transamerica Pyramid.

Architecture in 1969 Transamerica Corp. announced plans to build a tower in San Francisco. Work on the 853-foot Pyramid was completed in 1972.

Crime in 1969 Byron Booth and Clinton Smith, convicts, escaped from the California Institution for Men at Chino. The next day they bought tickets to fly from Los Angeles to Miami. They hijacked the plane and it landed in Cuba. Officials removed the hijackers then the plane continued to Miami.

Transportation in 1971 BART’s tunnel to the Montgomery Street Station was`holed thru,’ completing the tunneling for the two-level Market Street subway after six years.

BART map.

Sports in 1973 UCLA’s basketball team won its 61st game in a row, setting a NCAA record.

Accidents in 1984Michael Jackson burned his head when a special effects accident caught his hair on fire while recording “Billie Jean” for a Pepsi Cola commercial in Los Angeles.

Crime in 2009 Kraft Foods and Frito-Lay managers admitted to taking $318,000 in bribes from Randall Rahal, a former sales broker for SK Foods of Lemoore, a major Central California tomato processor.

Crime in 2009 Police found seven people dead at a home in Wilmington near Los Angeles. Ervin Lupoe killed his children and wife before killing himself. Both parents had been recently fired from their jobs.

Business in 2010Steve Jobs introduced Apple’s iPad to bridge the gap between smartphones and laptops at MacWorld in San Francisco.

Zinn in 2010 Howard Zinn, historian, teacher and political activist, died of a heart attack in Santa Monica at age 88. His work included A People’s History of the United States (1980).

Great Seal of California.

Government in 2012 The California Air Resources Board approved strict vehicle emissions called the Advanced Clean Car program. It would reduce greenhouse gas emission by 50% by 2025.